“I wear shorts year-round, so these get a lot of action once the temperature drops,” says Yee of her Burfitt (lovisaburfitt.com) bottoms from Opening Ceremony (35 Howard St between Broadway and Crosby St, 212-219-2688 • 1190–1192 Broadway between 28th and 29th Sts, 646-695-5680 • openingceremony.us). She winterizes them with plenty of layers, including a knit jacket from the Salvation Army (salvationarmyusa.org), a fair isle sweater of her own design, a Yohji Yamamoto (yohjiyamamoto.co.jp) floral-print blouse from Barneys New York(660 Madison Ave at 61st St; 212-826-8900, barneys.com) and sheer stockings from Costco (locations throughout the city; visit costco.com). “Yes, Costco,” she reiterates. “It has great tights and socks.”

2/41Photograph: Melissa Sinclair

“I’ve been wearing hats a lot this year,” says Yee, who found this floppy style at the Brooklyn Flea(80 North 5th St at Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; brooklynflea.com; Sat, Sun 10am–7pm). “I think they polish off any outfit.” Another staple finishing touch is Make Up for Ever’s #36 hot-pink lipstick (8 E 12th St between Fifth Ave and University Pl; 212-941-9337, makeupforever.com). “It’s my daily mask,” she declares. “I never leave home without it.”

3/41Photograph: Melissa Sinclair

Yee had always admired the work of jeweler Adina Mills (adinamills.com), and became an even bigger fan when she met the designer at a trade show this year. She models one of her pyrite rings alongside Cult Nails’ Wack Slacks nail lacquer (cultnails.com). “It has some of the best polish—the quality is excellent,” enthuses Yee. “I’ve collaborated with [the brand] a few times for Fashion Week.”

A wool coat discovered at the Salvation Army and a snood from Yee’s fall 2011 collection help break up the all-over pattern on her matching pants and triple-collar blouse—both from her current line. “I love the whole print-on-print trend,” she says. “Also, this particular print is special to me because it was a collaboration with my artist friend Kim Piotrowski (kipiski.com). I love her work.”

A zip cardigan from Yee’s line gets sandwiched between a plaid blazer from now-defunct vintage store Fluke and a flannel shirt from the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market(W 39th St between Ninth and Tenth Aves; 212-243-5343, hellskitchenfleamarket.com). “If I could wear it every day, I would—it is so unbelievably soft,” says Yee of the button-up. “It was one of my first NYC flea-market purchases, so it definitely holds a special place in my heart.” Black skinny jeans from Trash and Vaudeville(4 St. Marks Pl between Second and Third Aves; 212-982-3590, trashandvaudeville.com) complete the ensemble.

8/41Photograph: Melissa Sinclair

Yee bought this fedora from a street vendor in Chinatown. “Ten dollars well spent,” she remarks.

9/41Photograph: Melissa Sinclair

“I’ve had this necklace for years,” says Yee of her statement bauble, purchased from Atlantis Attic(771 Metropolitan Ave between Graham Ave and Humbolt St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-218-8670). “It’s my lucky elephant necklace.” After the original chain broke, she replaced it with waxed rope from M&J Trimming(1008 Sixth Ave between 37th and 38th Sts; 212-391-6200, mjtrim.com).

“They’re probably the craziest pants I own,” concedes Yee of her vintage Junya Watanabe drop-crotch bottoms from erstwhile shop Change of Season. She tones them down with a colorblock sweater of her own design and a printed blouse taken from her mother’s closet. “I love layering it under things because it adds a graphic pop to any outfit,” she says.

12/41Photograph: Melissa Sinclair

A close friend of Yee’s brought this wood-and-metal statement necklace back for her from the Marché Gambetta flea market in Cannes, France.

13/41Photograph: Melissa Sinclair

The low cut on these Vince suede pumps (locations throughout the city; visit vince.com) adds sex appeal to a classic silhouette. “They’re a great way to femme up any look,” adds Yee.

14/41Photograph: Melissa Sinclair

Yee contrasts masculine and feminine by pairing an Old Navy men’s oxford shirt (locations throughout the city; visit oldnavy.com) with a scalloped beaded skirt from defunct vintage store Daha. “You can also yank it up and wear it as a strapless dress,” notes Yee of the latter piece. “It came with a matching top but I still have yet to wear it as a set.” A vintage motorcycle jacket that Yee borrowed from a friend toughens up the outfit. “I’ve had it for about a year now,” admits Yee. “She’s been asking for it back but I need to find an equivalent before I return it! It’s going to be hard to give it up.”

Even though one of the zippers on these Clarks motorcycle booties is broken, Yee refuses to stop wearing them. “They’re just too comfortable and literally go with everything,” she explains. “I’ve broken in these puppies well—they literally feel like butter on my feet now.”

Her personal style: “Super relaxed, lots of layers, and a mix of old and new. The majority of my days are spent running around the Garment District, so I’m always in something comfortable.”

Her inspirations: “My friends and travels.”

Favorite NYC stores: “Still House(117 E 7th St between First Ave and Ave A; 212-539-0200, stillhousenyc.com) is a super-cool gallery shop that has some gorgeous home goods. It’s a great place to find a gift. Maryam Nassir Zadeh (123 Norfolk St at Rivington St; 212-673-6405, mnzstore.com) is so well curated with some amazing designers—I’m always inspired when I go in there. I’ve gotten some of my most memorable outfits at Marmalade Vintage(174 Mott St at Broome St; 212-473-8070, marmaladevintage.com). It has a great mix of prints, interesting silhouettes and accessories. The windows are always really colorful and inviting, which is a plus. Coclico(275 Mott St between E Houston and Prince Sts; 212-965-5462, shopcoclico.com) has awesome shoes. I’ve bought several pairs there that I have worn to death because they were so comfortable and complemented everything.”

Favorite NYC salons: “My friend Autumn Whisman works at Parlor (527 Atlantic Ave between Third and Fourth Aves, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn; 347-384-2334, parlorhairsalon.com) and she always gives me an awesome cut. I barely ever get a chance to pamper myself, but I recently got a facial at Red and White Spa(484 Broome St at Wooster St; 212-343-9444, redandwhitespa.com) and it was great. I’m definitely going back.”

How she describes New York style: “Lots of black. Lots of Zara. Sharp lines and layers mixed with subtle textures. I may have only just described Soho, though. It really changes from neighborhood to neighborhood.”

How her style has evolved: “It’s become much more streamlined and effortless, less fussy. I’ve come a long way since sporting tutus from my ballet costumes in high school!”